Tonight America and the World is going to find out something I have known for years, Jimmy Kimmel is the funniest man on television. They are going to learn this because the late night host is going to host The Emmys on ABC at 8p est/5p pst.
Kimmel has a big advantage because he has a sincere love of television. But did you know that Kimmel has very quick wit and can respond to anything that is thrown at him without even there being a moment of silence. It is his love of TV and a quick humor that is going to make him the perfect host tonight. And it doesn’t hurt (in my opinion) that his Jimmy Kimmel Live staff are there to back him up tonight.
Now those are my thoughts about Jimmy Kimmel, but here are few of his about the Emmys, his show and a few other things. I recently was in a press circle with him at the TCA ABC Summer Press Tour Day and here is how he answered our questions. By readings his responses you will get to know him a little bit better and see why he will be one of the greatest Emmy hosts in a long time. Plus you will get to see just how humble and naturally funny he really is.
Does he think it was given that he was asked to host:
“I don’t think it was a given that I was asked. I was happy to have been asked. I won’t say I was surprised I’ve been asked, I figured they would ask me. I would’ve been very angry if I hadn’t been asked. So maybe that’s why they asked me.”
Does he plan on hurting someone to be memorable:
“I don’t want to hurt anybody. I never ever want to hurt anyone. Honestly if I find out that someone’s feelings have been hurt, I feel badly about it for the rest of my life. So that is never my intent. I want to be funny. Sometimes when you are funny people do get their feelings hurt, but I am going to try to avoid that.”
Did he practice an Emmy speech as a kid?
“No, I didn’t. I did not have any delusions of grandeur as a kid. I never imagined being on television. I just really wanted to have one in color. That was my goal.”
What is the best thing to happen to him this year?:
“Well the Emmy nomination was very exciting for us because as a staff we start to feel like the Bad News Bears. Not that we felt like we deserved an Emmy nomination, but we did feel like we deserved an Emmy nomination. Everybody was very excited. It’s fun to see staff. I have to say, I probably, I convinced myself it doesn’t matter and I have to say it was exciting to see how excited the staff was because it reminds you it’s there show too and they are invested in it as you are. So it was a fun day.”
On being the only late night who has not done stand up at some point in his career. (He didn’t realize he that he is the only one.):
“I came up through radio. I think it was good preparation for me. It definitely taught me what it was like to do a show everyday 5 days a week. It prepared me for the grind.”
Why talk shows fail.:
“The #1 reason talk shows fail is the host doesn’t know how much work they are. A lot of people go in with a lot of arrogance thinking they are going to be able to show up at 3 o’clock in the afternoon and chit chat with people and be funny every night. It’s not that easy. You really have to pour yourself into it to do it right, I think.”
If he were President, what would be the first thing he would do?:
“I would find out if there were UFOs…I’d go right into the Roswell files and then I would resign.”
I think the last answer gives you the best idea of what an awesome host he will be tonight, so tune in to The Emmys tonight on ABC and see what else he comes up with to honor television’s biggest night. And once you realize that is as funny as I have been saying for years, check out Jimmy Kimmel Live weeknights on ABC at 12m.
